Pirates Only

Pirates Only
Podcast Description
“Pirates Only” is a podcast series created by pirates, for pirates (AKA visionary startup founders breaking new ground). Each episode brings together innovative founders working within similar industries to openly discuss groundbreaking ideas, hard challenges, and the massive opportunities ahead. From deep-sea robotics to space tech, AI, and beyond, we’ll explore the bold futures these pioneers are building. Join us as we dive into what’s next, celebrating this adventurous future, and the pirates building for it.
Podcast Insights
Content Themes
The podcast delves into topics such as asteroid mining, robotics in the home, storytelling for deep tech startups, and ocean technology, with episodes examining the trillion-dollar metals opportunity in space, the evolving landscape of personal robotics, and the critical narratives behind startup funding.

“Pirates Only” is a podcast series created by pirates, for pirates (AKA visionary startup founders breaking new ground). Each episode brings together innovative founders working within similar industries to openly discuss groundbreaking ideas, hard challenges, and the massive opportunities ahead. From deep-sea robotics to space tech, AI, and beyond, we’ll explore the bold futures these pioneers are building. Join us as we dive into what’s next, celebrating this adventurous future, and the pirates building for it.
In this episode we haul anchor with Clint Brown, our very own Capitol-Hill insider, to chart the One Big, Beautiful Bill that just splashed down in D.C.
We unpack how a $150 B defense-tech infusion, sweeter R&D expensing, juiced QSBS rules, and a four-year spending fuse light a fire under founders and VCs alike. Clint explains the process of how the bill came to be, how drones, autonomous shipbuilding, and space-laser line-items send an unmistakable political demand signal, and why private capital is now expected to plug the gaps faster than a pirate plugs a leaky hull.
We also riff on the macro ripple effects: deficit worries, tariff tail-winds, and the existential AI sprint with China, plus the new three-year QSBS on-ramp that could turn earlier exits into a liquidity cannon aimed straight back at innovation.
TL;DR? Washington just rang the ship’s bell and shortened the plank: founders have four-ish years of clearer regs, generous tax treats, and a giant customer waving orders.
So hoist your sails, build like you’ve got a frigate chasing you, and remember, when Uncle Sam says “all hands on deck,” it’s time to build.
Highlights:
00:00 Introduction to the One Big Beautiful Bill
01:42 Breaking Down the Bill
34:36 Innovative Programs and Venture Capital Ecosystem
35:38 Political Landscape and Its Impact on Startups
45:08 Urgency in Government Spending and Startup Innovation
54:13 The Call to Action for Founders and Investors

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